The Self Build Group is concerned people's lives are being put on hold because they cannot afford to buy local property.

The group, which represents more than 100 islanders who lack the funding to buy their own homes, feels the island's government has let them down.

The maximum amount of money banks will lend is three or four times their salaries, which they say is not enough for many to afford the cheapest property currently on the market.

Group spokesman John Wilkins said the States had taken no action to help people build their own homes and was just making excuses.

He said he had friends who had emigrated simply because they could no longer afford to live on the island.